Assessment of women's knowledge, perspectives, and practices regarding physical activity, and their correlation with the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, Kabul, Afghanistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61438/sarj.v1i2.142Keywords:
cardiovascular disease, physical activity, women's health, sociocultural barriers, fasting blood sugarAbstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding physical activity in Kabul, Afghanistan, and evaluate their correlation with CVD risk factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and fasting blood sugar levels.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to March 2024 at Watan Hospital, involving 425 women aged 20 years and above. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, including demographic and lifestyle-related sections. Physical activity awareness, attitudes, and performance were categorized into weak, moderate, and good levels. Participants' health parameters, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, were measured and analyzed using SPSS v.27 to explore associations between physical activity levels and CVD risk factors.
Results: Good awareness of physical activity was reported by 58.8% of participants, while 32.9% demonstrated good performance. Regular exercise was significantly associated with healthier fasting blood sugar levels (86.7% ≤ 100 mg/dL) (p < 0.001), cholesterol levels (83.3% ≤ 200 mg/dL) (p < 0.001), and blood pressure (83.3% ≤ 140 mmHg) (p < 0.001). However, the frequency of exercise showed no statistically significant impact on these parameters.
Conclusion: Despite moderate-to-good awareness, a considerable gap exists in women's actual physical activity performance. Regular physical activity is strongly associated with improved metabolic and cardiovascular health outcomes. Interventions targeting behavioral change, addressing sociocultural barriers, and promoting sustainable physical activity practices are critical to reducing the CVD burden among women in Afghanistan.
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